jennifer griffin is live at the pentagon. one month from surgery, and it seems the soldier has big plans and a bigger spirit. >> reporter: that's right. this is what he said when asked what he missed most in the past four years. >> driving. absolutely. driving. i used to love to drive. it was... it was a lot of fun for me. so, i am really looking forward to getting back to that and just becoming an rathlite again. one of my goals definitely is to cycle a marathon. yeah. so i would love to get back to that. >> the most proud and unassuming guy and stubbornly persistent, his doctors said. he has an amazing sense of humor. when he came out of surgery last month, he turned to his mom and said, i love you. those were his first words. >> it feels amazing. it's something i was waiting for for a long time. now that it finally happened... i really don't know what to say because it's just such a big thing for my life. it's fantastic. >> brend an has been recovering and the tunnel to towers foundation, which built him a special home hav